Political Discussions for "Adults"

~~jwb~~ · 07-29-2020, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

This is not right. He picked Biden because Biden was on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Obama had little to no foreign relations experience, and it was to quell the fears that were emerging against McCain who had significantly more experience.

The Senate doesn't have a dearth of white guys. But let's not attack short memories while we're inventing rational.

I mean you're right that there were other reasons and perhaps I over simplified, but I believe it's fairly well known that Obama wanted an older white moderate to downplay the racial tension.

Perhaps there were credentials that set Biden apart from the other older white moderate liberals but even the reasons you gave have nothing to do with issues that would necessarily endear him to the black community. That is basically something he just inherited by proxy of being associated with Obama.

~~jwb~~ · 07-29-2020, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

Biden should be questioned on both, and any number of his ugly decisions in the past. I think it was a fair critique that Kamala Harris levied against him on bussing. Asking him to answer those things is not only fine but good politics. Where I take a different path is on the answers. Biden answered them well before people voted for him (South Carolina really) and the voting publics' verdict is what it is. Saying it's wrong is undemocratic.

But I think it's also fair to say that 1994 was 26 years ago. To assume no evolution in 26 years time, to me, seems a bit absurd. Have you not changed your opinion from 26 years ago on anything? Are you not allowed to have upheld a bad opinion or position and change?

I assume most of you on this forum won't vote for Biden. And I'm not trying to change your mind. But the debate is only worthwhile if we're exploring arguments. And to that end I feel it's worth posing the question.

Kamala's critique deflated pretty soon after that debate iirc. It basically became apparent upon further questioning that she couldn't even meaningfully distinguish her own views from Biden's on that issue.

**Frownland** · 07-29-2020, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

Biden answered them well before people voted for him (South Carolina really) and the voting publics' verdict is what it is. Saying it's wrong is undemocratic.

I'm cool with that.

Quote:

But I think it's also fair to say that 1994 was 26 years ago. To assume no evolution in 26 years time, to me, seems a bit absurd. Have you not changed your opinion from 26 years ago on anything? Are you not allowed to have upheld a bad opinion or position and change?

Go talk to the guy saying he hasn't changed then lol..

Even if it does get implemented as planned, his current "reform" proposal is largely based on increasing funding for oppressive power structures and reprioritizing the to do list of certain bureaucracies. But hey he made a statement and has a black buddy, I guess policy doesn't matter.

Quote:

I assume most of you on this forum won't vote for Biden. And I'm not trying to change your mind. But the debate is only worthwhile if we're exploring arguments. And to that end I feel it's worth posing the question.

No need to explain yourself mate.

SGR · 07-29-2020, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwb

Right now you'd get decent odds on that bet so it might be time to act.

I think I'll wait until he leads a couple more COVID-19 taskforce breifings before I put my bets on Predictit. But I'll be sure to come back in November to brag of my winnings. Batlord will be glad to know that my salary is well supplemented.

TheBig3 · 07-29-2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwb

Kamala's critique deflated pretty soon after that debate iirc. It basically became apparent upon further questioning that she couldn't even meaningfully distinguish her own views from Biden's on that issue.

On bussing?

Kamala just didn't give most people the impression she wanted to be President. She had no mission statement that I could make out, and her policy positions were horrible. She flipped on healthcare, and her college-debt absolution plan was so convoluted no one would qualify. And her uncalled for hit on Warren - when she was no policy wonk - was a bit classless.

I like her a lot, but she's a lawyer and she likes law. I think the first time people run it's always a ****show but I hope she remains a Statesperson in D.C.

The Batlord · 07-29-2020, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

But I think it's also fair to say that 1994 was 26 years ago. To assume no evolution in 26 years time, to me, seems a bit absurd. Have you not changed your opinion from 26 years ago on anything? Are you not allowed to have upheld a bad opinion or position and change?

In my experience it's entirely possible, even probable, that a full grown adult with their opinions already formed may very well not evolve their opinions in any meaningful way in 26 years. Age doesn't necessarily bring wisdom. Sometimes it just gives you more time to convince yourself of your own bull****.

TheBig3 · 07-29-2020, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

In my experience it's entirely possible, even probable, that a full grown adult with their opinions already formed may very well not evolve their opinions in any meaningful way in 26 years. Age doesn't necessarily bring wisdom. Sometimes it just gives you more time to convince yourself of your own bull****.

Good to know we get this Batlord all the way until death.

I can't say if I'll change. But I do try to see where the gaps in my logic are. Maybe there's hope for me afterall.

SGR · 07-29-2020, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

Kamala just didn't give most people the impression she wanted to be President. She had no mission statement that I could make out, and her policy positions were horrible. She flipped on healthcare, and her college-debt absolution plan was so convoluted no one would qualify. And her uncalled for hit on Warren - when she was no policy wonk - was a bit classless.

What hit on Warren are you referring to?

The thing I remember most concerning those two was the moment in one of the debates in which Harris challenged Warren on why she wouldn't join her in calling for Twitter to shut down Trump's account.

TheBig3 · 07-29-2020, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundgardenRocks

What hit on Warren are you referring to?

The thing I remember most concerning those two was the moment in one of the debates in which Harris challenged Warren on why she wouldn't join her in calling for Twitter to shut down Trump's account.

I'm having trouble finding it but it was something like "When I put out a policy, you know I mean it. I'm not like some people who put out a new policy every week."

And my thought was "Jesus, that's so much worse because your policies are trash"

~~jwb~~ · 07-29-2020, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

On bussing?

Yeah. She pretty much reversed her stance on federally mandated busing within a week of her little debate stunt.

Quote:

Kamala just didn't give most people the impression she wanted to be President. She had no mission statement that I could make out, and her policy positions were horrible. She flipped on healthcare, and her college-debt absolution plan was so convoluted no one would qualify. And her uncalled for hit on Warren - when she was no policy wonk - was a bit classless.

I like her a lot, but she's a lawyer and she likes law. I think the first time people run it's always a ****show but I hope she remains a Statesperson in D.C.

I don't like her at all.